When is radiotherapy recommended for cervical cancer?

The plan is based on the cancer’s size, position, spread to lymph nodes or nearby tissues, and your general health. External-beam radiation treats the pelvis from outside the body. Internal radiation, called brachytherapy, places a radiation source close to the cervix or tumour for a planned period. These approaches may be combined.

Radiotherapy can be the main treatment when surgery is not the preferred approach. It may also follow surgery if pathology shows features that make additional treatment useful, or be used for cancer that returns in the pelvis. Treatment may be paired with a medicine that makes cancer cells more sensitive to radiation; your team will explain the reason and monitoring involved.

Tell your team about pregnancy or possible pregnancy, bowel or bladder problems, previous pelvic treatment, and medicines. Ask about skin care, hydration, nutrition, sexual health, contraception, and fertility before treatment starts, because pelvic radiation can affect reproductive organs and vaginal tissues.

Keep appointments and report diarrhoea, urinary burning, bleeding, nausea, or worsening pelvic pain. Do not use creams, supplements, or vaginal products on the treated area unless the team recommends them. Supportive medicines can make treatment effects easier to manage.

Contact your cancer team urgently for heavy vaginal bleeding, severe pelvic pain, inability to pass urine, persistent vomiting, fever, or diarrhoea that prevents drinking. Seek emergency help for fainting, severe weakness, or bleeding that does not settle.

Ask whether treatment will be external, internal, or both, why a medicine may be added, how fertility and sexual health may be affected, how to manage bowel and bladder symptoms, and which bleeding or pain symptoms need urgent help.